Because I can’t get this song out of my head lately, here is a music video from the 80s apropros of absolutely nothing. It’s Syd Straw, backed up by Michael Stipe of REM, singing “Future 40s (String of Pearls)”.
Month: December 2011
She’s lost control again
File this fragment under “accidental film critic reviews”
Just saw the Joy Division biopic. Although there were some good bits in it, I was disappointed. I’d give anything for a really good film about Joy Division, but this wasn’t it. It’s still worth watching for any serious fan of the band, but not to be taken overly seriously.
If I had .05 for every gratuitious auteur shot involving a cigarette in that film, I’d be rich now.
Longer review to come.
You caught me.
Oh, no.
My interview on Unanchor went live today and now everybody’s going to see my blog. Right when I’m in the middle of posting about my existential angst!
SO embarrassing.
In which I despond unbearably
I feel awful. I don’t know what’s wrong, exactly. It’s like a sudden, extremely intense depression. Everything aches. I move in slow motion. My face in the mirror horrifies me. I feel hostility from everyone around me in the real world, indifference from everyone online. Everything seems to make it worse. I don’t know what caused it; I’ve had depressive episodes but nothing that ever began so abruptly. I’m actually sitting here blaming myself for being so weak that I let this happen, though I don’t even know how it happened or why.
I am still choking on film writing project. I’ve put it aside for now as it was overwhelming, but I still feel it gnawing away at me. For some reason I can still do paintings, and I am more productive at that than usual. It is one of the few things that don’t make my condition worse, though they don’t help in any way either. I finish them, they seem satisfactory to me, but I don’t feel good about them. I don’t feel good about anything.
I don’t even want to write this, because it’s whiny. And now I’m angry at myself for being whiny.
I haven’t jumped the rails of reality or anything. I’m not hallucinating or hearing voices. I am just suddenly overwhelmed by the meaninglessness of life.
Interesting Wiki of the Day: Corrosion
Strangely beautiful pattern of rust and dirt
Corrosion is part of the natural process of decay. You can read more about how it happens here.
Also, my twitter pal Patrick Baty writes a lovely and informative blog about historical paints, and he has an article about corrosion in bituminous finishes. It has pictures of unwrapped mummies! And old-timey paint bottles! Do check it out.
From my notes: Abrasion
Abrasion. My painting. 2011.
Life is abrasive.
I think of new ways to turn myself, so I keep my point and don’t get worn down to a nub.
From my notes: A painting is a magic hat
Beyond the Veil, my artwork, 2011
A painting is a magic hat.
I may put a rabbit in the hat, but someone might pull out a peacock or a platypus.
What other people get out of it isn’t always the same as what I put in.
That’s part of the magic.
Confessions of an accidental film critic
I have a confession to make:
I am, in my own opinion, unqualified to review movies.
I hate movies.
I avoid them whenever possible.
Joy Division Christmas lyrics: “Wilderness”
The Joy Division Christmas Special was a great success; now I’ve got a bunch of their lyrics burned into my brain, in particular these:
From my notes: Genius
Today I accused someone of being a genius. He modestly denied it. He is wrong. But I get why he doesn’t like the idea.
If somebody said that to me after looking at a couple of my paintings, sure, my ego would be gratified. But secretly I’d be wondering what was wrong with them. I’d think they were over-idealizing me. And I’d feel the impulse to even the balance by telling them just how made of clay my feet are.
The responsibilities for being a genius are crushing. You’d have to walk around geniusing all the time, and you could never slip up, or people would think you never really were one at all. Who needs that kind of pressure?
Exiled Stardust 